Denouncement of Unjust Detainment of Ismail Alwahwah in Jordan

Ismail Alwahwah (Abu Anas) was criminally detained, without reason, upon arrival at Queen Alia International Airport on Wednesday, 25th July 2018. He was taken into custody by Jordan’s General Intelligence Directorate (GID).

It has now been 10 days since his incarceration, and not only have no charges been brought forward, but Ismail has not been afforded legal representation.

Ismail Alwahwah suffers from multiple life-threatening health complications, and we hold the Jordanian regime entirely responsible for his safety and well-being.

Jordan has an ugly history of repression and torture, with many political activists languishing in its prisons due to the absence of the rule of law. We hold grave fears for Ismail’s condition.

The crime that needs to be loudly condemned is Ismail’s unjust detainment, irrespective of what charges the Jordanian regime may or may not subsequently invent.

Ismail Alwahwah is an Australian citizen; moreover, he was granted political asylum in Australia in 1997 due to the repression he faced at the hands of the Jordanian regime.

The Australian government must therefore exercise every effort to secure Ismail Alwahwah’s immediate release. Failing to do so will not only be considered negligence on its part, but regarded as nothing less than complicity with a regime that Australia itself acknowledges as a purveyor of extrajudicial repression.